saw and chisel and plane...

I really like the curved cut in the top pic. It's similar and should go well with my existing Pergola.

I think I'll go the route of an Adze and a Spoke Shave. I see a lot of different types of Adze's, can anyone recommend what to get and where? Same for the Spoke Shave. I'm thinking 2 handed flat head but seems like there's a few of those too.

the depth in that picture comes from the repetition of rafters. keep in mind that the timber rafters are not flat, they're 3-d. you'll feel that width and meat on the timber when you cut it with an edge tool. it may want to form a crown at the heart of the tree, for example. just something to be sensitive to in your ideas for the outcome.

both of those are very pleasant tools to procure. anywhere from a yardsale to lee valley to our friend Jim here.

The adze itself will dictate how sharp the radius is. With the adze I have I could not easily cut the radius shown in the last picture, it would have to be more gradual. I have seen other adzes which are rounder and could probably cut the curve. I would not be set on an exact design until you have tried a few.

Lehman's is where I picked mine up about 10 years ago. The version they have now is different with the pole on the back and it is blue along with a bigger price.

http://www.lehmans.com/store/Tools___Far...nchorReviewForm

I do not subscribe to their overview in finishing work of the adze.

I haven't looked of late but Jim should have a nice one as well.

Tim

In production, we create that detail by fist sawing a straight line diagonal, and then "scooping" out the remainder with a "power adze":

http://www.timberwolftools.com/tools/makita/M-1002BA.html

I don't think I could justify that purchase..

Mark at TimberWolf needs to get up to speed with the terms. The beam above him was hewn with an axe not the adze as he points out in the video. I do agree "a good tool does make work fun"

Tim

this is kind of off topic, but that is funny, making a timber less square- and with a power tool! i understand the pleasure of process marks, but it's in their referencing a process. [though i admit, to get a similar scalloped look as in that 3rd video there, and to create an edge tool surface, i've had some success (and a pleasant time) with a curve faced slick, bevel down.]

they should totally rename that tool from whatever number it was, to 'the power adze'.

apologies for the aesthetic diversion from the really helpful drawings that have been done up here by others. we've got a pergola in the works for the deck this summer too- thanks for the expertise.

Question, what size braces should I use for the pergola? I was originally thinking 4x6x4' for each? I've got a couple TF books coming, suggestions from another thread, which might help me with that but thought I'd ask some experts..